India have roared back into the match – and the series – on Day 2 of the fifth Test against Australia, but an injury scare for talismanic quick Jasprit Bumrah has raised concerns.
After taking the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne in the opening session, Bumrah left the field after just one over – his bowling speeds at a notably lower pace than usual – to start the second session,
Virat Kohli stepped in as acting captain in his stead after a lengthy discussion with the fast bowler before he left the field.
Having spent nearly an hour off the field, Bumrah was then spotted on the television broadcast leaving the SCG in training attire with members of India’s medical staff.
“That would have to suggest he’s going for an X-ray or a scan or something,” former great Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.
“This could have a massive bearing on the series,” Indian great Ravi Shastri said.
“You just got the feeling he wasn’t okay, when he had that animated chat with Virat Kohli telling him you’ll be leading the side… you knew it was more than just to change his boots.”
Bumrah battled through a groin injury during the second Test in Adelaide, before shaking off further niggles to star in the Boxing Day Test.
His 32 wickets for the series – at an average of 13.06 – is the most ever taken by an Indian in a Test series in Australia, beating Bishan Bedi’s previous mark of 31 47 years ago.
In a major boost for India, Bumrah returned to the SCG midway through the final session, notably springing up the stairs on his way to the Indian dressing room.
“We’re not doctors, but he looked like he’s got a spring in his step!” commentator Mark Howard said on Fox Cricket.
‘Not going anywhere’: Sharma defies retirement query, explains self-omission
A defiant Rohit Sharma insists he’s not contemplating retirement from Test cricket, despite watching from the sidelines as India attempt to win the fifth Test against Australia.
Amid a dire run of form down under as well as in previous months, the captain caused a stir on match eve when it was revealed he has opted out of the match, with reports swirling that he either stepped down voluntarily or was forced out by coach Gautam Gambhir.
Speaking to Star Sports India, Sharma insisted that the former was the case, and was only a temporary measure for the good of the team for the must-win Test.
“I had a chat with the coach and the selector which was very simple – I am not making runs at the moment,” Sharma said.
““I am not in form and it’s an important game. We need an in-form player. Our batting order isn’t in form at the moment. Out of form players can’t carry the team at the moment.
“This was the simple thing in my mind. It was my understanding that I should tell the coach and the selector and they backed my call.
“I am not going anywhere… this is not a decision of retirement. I am not moving away from this game. But I took a decision to step away from this game because I was not able to score runs with the bat.
“There is no guarantee that I will score runs two months or five months from now.
“I have seen a lot of cricket, every minute, every second and everyday life changes. I believe that things will change but at the same time, I have to be realistic as well.
“People sitting in the commentary box, or writing with a laptop in their hands, will not decide how my life goes.”
Rohit Sharma looks dejected after being dismissed by Pat Cummins. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
‘Would be having a word’: Border clips ‘cocky’ Konstas
Fresh off a latest fiery run-in with Jasprit Bumrah late on Day 1, Sam Konstas has been advised to rein-in his audacious on-field approach, by no less a judge than Allan Border himself.
Konstas sparked a tense exchange with the Indian captain in the final over of the opening day, with a fired-up Bumrah taking the wicket of Usman Khawaja off the final ball and immediately staring down the 19-year old.
Speaking on Fox Cricket on the morning of Day 2, former great Mark Waugh expressed his concern that Konstas is painting a ‘target on his back’.
“I don’t know whether it is naive enthusiasm or that’s just the way he has always played his game through the juniors and likes to have high energy and get involved in the game, but really there was no need for Sam to get involved there,” he said of Konstas’ exchange with Bumrah.
“I think he should have bit his tongue and it’s got nothing to do with him actually and it might have broken the concentration of Khawaja.
“He might learn from that, Konstas. If he keeps behaving like that, he is going to have a target on his back for his whole career.
“I just think he is firing the opposition up. He’s fired up Jasprit. You don’t want to fire him up.
“I think Sam will reflect on that and think he should have minded his own business.”
Following hot on the heels of being bumped by Virat Kohli on Day 1 in Melbourne, which saw Kohli cop a fine and a demerit point, Border urged Konstas to ‘calm it down a bit’.
“There’s a subtle difference between cocky and confidence, and I think he’s just got tipped over to the cocky side,” Border said on Fox Cricket.
“I would be having a word. Just to calm it down a bit.
“I don’t mind confidence, but I think that cocky chirp and chat that goes on – he’s obviously ruffled some feathers in the Indian camp, that’s for sure – but from his own personal point of view, I’d just like to see him concentrate on what he does best, and that’s batting.”
However, mere moments later Konstas unfurled his signature shot, audaciously reverse-ramping Bumrah over the slips cordon for four in similar fashion to in his blazing debut innings at the MCG.
“This is brilliant cricket, it really is,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said.
“You’ve got this young chap out there in the middle, in front of another full house at the SCG, when the game’s on a knife’s edge and he’s facing arguably the greatest bowler that’s played the game.
“Third [man] has been removed to square leg on the boundary, so I’ll bring back the ramp shot!”
However, India and Bumrah would have the last laugh, Mohammed Siraj finding swing to have Konstas edging to Yashasvi Jaiswal in the gully for 23.
The dismissal was one of three in a dream opening hour for India, with Bumrah removing Marnus Labuschagne for his 32nd wicket of the tour – and Indian record in a series in Australia – and Siraj having Travis Head caught in the cordon just two balls after Konstas, leaving Australia reeling at 4/39.
‘Just switched off’: Did Steve Smith distract himself into getting out?
10,000 Test runs was within reach for Steve Smith, as he moved sedately to 33 on Day 2 at the SCG.
Looking untroubled despite a torrent of wickets at the other end – an imperious pull shot for six the highlight – the champion veteran steadied the ship with debutant Beau Webster, the pair putting on a half-century stand to take Australia from 4/39 to the brink of lunch without further loss.
However, disaster struck close to session’s end, with Smith drawn into an edge to KL Rahul at slip off Indian quick Prasidh Krishna.
The wicket left Australia 5/96 and back in trouble in reply to India’s first innings 185, while Smith was stranded on 9,995 Test runs – meaning he’ll need to score five in the second innings to become just the fourth Australian to 10,000 runs on his home SCG turf.
On Fox Cricket, commentators Brendon Julian and Michael Vaughan were quick to suggest a loss of concentration may have been to blame for Smith’s downfall, having expressed visible displeasure with movement behind the sightscreen just seconds earlier.
“Just before that ball, he [Smith] was looking up the back of the sightscreen saying ‘sit down, sit down’,” Julian said.
“He looked to get a little bit annoyed by people, or whatever he thought he saw, up the back there.
“He’s looking up there before the ball’s been bowled, and it’s probably that glass door and people [going through it].”
Vaughan put the wicket down to Smith having ‘just switched off’.
“On a pitch like this, you just switch off [at] that most important moment, and there’s a little bit of movement…”